Single Low Dose of Human Recombinant Antithrombin (ATryn) has no Impact on Endotoxin-Induced Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation: An Experimental Randomized Open Label Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND

Antithrombin (AT) III physiological levels are decreased during septic shock and supplementation therapy could therefore be beneficial.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that the use of recombinant human AT could reduce disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurrence.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized open label controlled experimental study. Ten female "Large White" pigs were challenged with i.v. infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Two groups of 5 pigs were randomly assigned to receive either recombinant human AT 100 U/kg over 30 min (ATryn group) or 0.9% saline (control group). AT III levels, coagulation, hemostasis, inflammation parameters, hemodynamics, and microcirculatory parameters were measured over a 5-h period. Immediately after euthanasia, kidneys were withdrawn for histology evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests and Dunn's test for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

AT III activity was significantly higher in the ATryn group than in the control group from 60% (213% [203-223] vs. 104% [98-115], P = 0.008, respectively) to 300 min (115% [95-124] vs. 79% [67-93], P = 0.03). Recombinant human AT supplementation had no impact on hemodynamics, microcirculatory parameters, and sequential changes of coagulation parameters (platelet count, fibrinogen level, thrombin-AT complexes, and von Willebrand factor). Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α values were statistically the same for both groups throughout the study. Percentage of thrombosed glomeruli and percentage of thrombosed capillary in glomerulus were not significantly different between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In our model of endotoxic shock, a single low dose of recombinant human AT did not prevent DIC occurrence, severity, inflammatory profile, or hemodynamic alterations.